Indie Round Up #1
So seeing as all of my recent reviews have been Hollywood films (as that's all I've been seeing at the cinema) I thought I would give my two cents on a few indie/art films that I think you all should have a look at, some of them are new, some not so new but they are all films I think any film enthusiast should watch. I will try and do a little summary review of each of the films in a more informal manner than my main reviews, and I'll try to do regular indie round ups every few weeks or so to mix up old stuff with the big new releases I'll be reviewing.
The Kid With A Bike
Well I can't say much about this film other than SEE IT. It's got real heart and will probably make you sob uncontrollably, you don't have to be a film nerd to be able to watch it either. Its not pretentious in any way and is one of the most genuine and emotionally real films I have seen in a while. Its got some heavy themes about childhood and parenting, and does have some seriously gritty scenes towards the end of it. The acting is naturalistic and feels unscripted, Pierre and Dardenne have done a fantastic job of giving the actors plenty of space to do what they feel is right for the scene. See it if you're in the mood for a heartwarming drama about life and childhood.
Weekend
This is a much more adult film than The Kid With A Bike, its a love story about two people who happen to be gay. The thing about this film is that while the main characters are gay, and many people will be put off thinking they won't be able to relate to the characters, the main themes of the film about love and friendship ring true for every sexuality. The film is British, and follows a style not a million miles away from a film like Somer's Town, albeit a bit more arty. The thing that impressed me most about the film is the sheer beauty of the thing, its shot in the most incredible way, and makes the urban city surroundings seem serene, calm and mysterious. The performances are superb for the first time actors, and by the end of the film you will at least feel some sort of emotion, whether you're straight, gay or anything else, due to the down to earth characters, the relatable themes and the sheer brilliance of the direction. See it if you're in an emotional mood, or if you like British indie films.
Tyrannosaur
This film is soul crushingly devastating, so much so that it will leave you in a state of depression and turmoil for days after seeing it. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't watch it though, the film is absolutely fantastic and is sure to become known as another one of the greats of British cinema. The film is very Shane Meadows, its gritty, violent and focuses on class as well as domestic violence. The plot involves a working class man on the edge of life who meets a middle class woman at a local charity shop, who gives him the time of day and talks to him, he then uncovers dark secrets about her that lead to an incredibly bleak finale. The performances from both Olivia Colman and Peter Mullan are astounding, and provide a sense of deep realism and grit. Watch this if you're in the mood to be shocked, but be warned that it will make you feel much worse than when you began watching it by the end.
The Tree of Life
This is one of my all time favourite films, directed by one of my all time favourite directors, so it would be a crime to not inlcude it in at least one of the indie roundups! This film is visual poetry, it is image driven, there is no real plot and very few spoken words. If all of these things sound pretentious, elitist or too 'arty' for you, I beg for you to reconsider. The film is a mediation on life itself, the question: how will you live your life? The film argues that there are two ways through life, the way of nature and the way of grace. The images are then shown to you, and you must interpret them how you see fit, its that simple. The film begins with a short prologue which introduces the characters and what small plot there is into the film, we are then shown a 30 minute sequence of the birth of life, which begins with the big bang and finishes at the present day. This is very reminicent of Kuberick's 2001: A Space Odysee and many critics argue that this is the 2001 of our time. The images are some of the most breathtaking you will see in a film, the way they are shot is a thing of outstanding technical acomplishment, and make it hard for you to take your eyes of the screen. While some may argue that they need a plot or central characters to be able to watch a film, a piece of work does not have to comform to the stereotypes of a film to be affecting, engrossing and even entertaining. If you don't quite understand what im trying to say, watch the trailer below and you should get what its about. I urge you to see this film, it will make you question your views and opinions, it will make you talk about it for days to anyone that will listen and most of all you will remember it for years to come.
That's it for todays Indie Roundup, I'll be posting more in the weeks to come!
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